In his letter, Smith wrote: “Sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives us all reason to cheer…..our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred.”

Missouri-native Limbaugh didn’t exactly do that when, as an ESPN commentator in 2003 he said that Donovan McNabb didn’t deserve to be the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback. He’d gotten the job, Limbaugh said, because the NFL was trying to show “a little social concern” and that the media was “desirous that a black quarterback do well.” In reality, Limbaugh said, “There is little hope invested in McNabb.”

For the record, McNabb — who has also become a superstar with TV commercial deals — is still the Eagles QB and led the team Sunday to a 33-14 win over Tampa Bay.

High profile star players like Tony Romo and Reggie Bush have not yet chimed in on the Limbaugh debate.